Clemson baseball could get major contributor back in time for NCAA Tournament regional
Clemson baseball could get major contributor back in time for NCAA Tournament regional
Clemson baseball could be getting a major boost to its pitching staff just in time for the start of the Tigers' NCAA Tournament regional this week.
Coach Erik Bakich said Monday that left-hander Ethan Darden, who opened the season as the team's Saturday starter, could rejoin the Tigers in time for the Clemson Regional, which begins Friday.
"There's a chance," Bakich told reporters Monday when previewing the Clemson Regional. "We thought maybe even he would have a chance this past weekend in the ACC Tournament, but it looks like, just from a precautionary standpoint, one more week would best serve him."
Darden hasn't pitched since April 12. He started the year with a bang, posting a 1.64 ERA over his first four starts entering the Tigers' ACC opener against Notre Dame on March 14.
After that, Darden struggled against both Wake Forest (six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings) and Georgia Tech (nine earned runs in 3 2/3 innings) before turning in a quality start against California in Berkeley on April 5. He tossed six innings and limited the Golden Bears to three runs on five hits.
Darden's last appearance came on April 12 against Stanford. In that game, the junior from Rock Hill lasted only 1 2/3 innings and allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits. Bakich told The Clemson Insider in early May that Darden had been dealing with a "tricep thing."
Clemson has since turned to sophomore right-hander Drew Titsworth as its Saturday starter in games.
"He's thrown off the mound already, and so if all progresses well this week, he should get the all clear for this weekend," Bakich said of Darden. "So we'll see. I'd say probable, but not guaranteed."
Darden was 5-5 with a 5.13 ERA in 19 appearances (11 starts) over 66 2/3 innings a season ago. His early season success this year included a dominant start against South Carolina in the Palmetto Series on March 1 in Greenville. Darden tossed seven shutout innings and held the Gamecocks to three hits while striking out six. For the season, he's 4-2 with a 6.08 ERA in nine starts.
Bakich added that Clemson hadn't decided on a starter for its NCAA Tournament opener against No. 4 seed USC Upstate on Friday. The West Virginia Mountaineers and Kentucky Wildcats are also in Clemson's regional as the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, respectively.
Clemson (44-16 overall), the top seed in its host site regional and ranked No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, will face the Spartans (36-23) at 6 p.m ET at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Friday. The game will be televised on ACC Network.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
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MEDIA CONTACTcollegesportscommission@ View original content: SOURCE College Sports Commission Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
